Latest news with #Beat'nDownYoBlock
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
DJ Unk's cause of death confirmed by wife after 'Walk It Out' rapper dies at 43
Rapper DJ Unk, who was best known for the bouncy early-2000s crunk hit "Walk It Out," has died. The musician's wife Sherkita Long-Platt announced his death Friday morning on Facebook. "I just lost my husband and my kids lost their father," she wrote. "Our life will never be the same." DJ Unk, born Anthony Leonard Platt, was 43. "I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER," Long-Platt wrote. Long-Platt confirmed to TMZ on Sunday that Platt died in his sleep after suffering a heart attack. She also shut down speculation that drugs played a role in the "2 Step" and "Show Out" artist's death. Read more: The 50 greatest moments in hip-hop history Atlanta label Big Oomp Records, which signed Platt in 2000, said in an Instagram tribute Saturday that the rapper "was not just a legendary DJ, rapper and producer, but a true cornerstone of our label" whose legacy "will be cherished forever." An Atlanta native, Platt began his music career in the late 1990s, spinning for the Southern Style DJs with DJ Montay and DJ Jelly. The trio brought its music to various community events across Georgia. Platt eventually signed to Big Oomp and released his debut single, "Walk It Out," in 2006. That same year he released "Beat'n Down Yo Block," his debut album. Platt was also known for the 2006 single "2 Step" and released three albums over his career, but "Walk It Out" remained his claim to fame. It climbed several Billboard charts and inspired a remix featuring OutKast and Jim Jones. The single also found new life beyond the music scene. In a 2023 interview with Billboard, Platt said listeners used his 2006 smash in "workout dances, they use it in church, they use it for anything." Read more: Rich Homie Quan, Atlanta rapper who touted Young Thug and YG among collaborators, dies at 33 The rapper was "my EVERYTHING," Long-Platt said on Instagram. On Sunday, she shared a video collage, set to Monica's "Love All Over Me," that featured photos of Platt performing and spending time with his family. Dozens of residents gathered at a park in downtown Atlanta on Sunday for a candelight vigil in Platt's honor. According to videos shared on Facebook, attendees released white and blue balloons into the sky as they voiced their love for the late rapper. Some attendees sang along to DJ Unk's "Walk It Out" and "2 Step" as others exchanged hugs. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
DJ Unk's cause of death confirmed by wife after ‘Walk It Out' rapper dies at 43
Rapper DJ Unk, who was best known for the bouncy early-2000s crunk hit 'Walk It Out,' has died. The musician's wife Sherkita Long-Platt announced his death Friday morning on Facebook. 'I just lost my husband and my kids lost their father,' she wrote. 'Our life will never be the same.' DJ Unk, born Anthony Leonard Platt, was 43. 'I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER,' Long-Platt wrote. Long-Platt confirmed to TMZ on Sunday that Platt died in his sleep after suffering a heart attack. She also shut down speculation that drugs played a role in the '2 Step' and 'Show Out' artist's death. Atlanta label Big Oomp Records, which signed Platt in 2000, said in an Instagram tribute Saturday that the rapper 'was not just a legendary DJ, rapper and producer, but a true cornerstone of our label' whose legacy 'will be cherished forever.' An Atlanta native, Platt began his music career in the late 1990s, spinning for the Southern Style DJs with DJ Montay and DJ Jelly. The trio brought its music to various community events across Georgia. Platt eventually signed to Big Oomp and released his debut single, 'Walk It Out,' in 2006. That same year he released 'Beat'n Down Yo Block,' his debut album. Platt was also known for the 2006 single '2 Step' and released three albums over his career, but 'Walk It Out' remained his claim to fame. It climbed several Billboard charts and inspired a remix featuring OutKast and Jim Jones. The single also found new life beyond the music scene. In a 2023 interview with Billboard, Platt said listeners used his 2006 smash in 'workout dances, they use it in church, they use it for anything.' The rapper was 'my EVERYTHING,' Long-Platt said on Instagram. On Sunday, she shared a video collage, set to Monica's 'Love All Over Me,' that featured photos of Platt performing and spending time with his family. Dozens of residents gathered at a park in downtown Atlanta on Sunday for a candelight vigil in Platt's honor. According to videos shared on Facebook, attendees released white and blue balloons into the sky as they voiced their love for the late rapper. Some attendees sang along to DJ Unk's 'Walk It Out' and '2 Step' as others exchanged hugs.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rapper DJ Unk's wife reveals his cause of death
Rapper DJ Unk died of a heart attack, his wife has revealed days after his death at age 43. The attack killed him as he slept, his wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, told TMZ. Long-Platt noted that her husband, whose given name was Anthony Platt, did not do drugs, dispelling rumors his death was substance-related. She revealed the news on Sunday, the same day family, friends and fans honored him at a vigil and balloon release in Atlanta's Central Park. They remembered him for his charity and kindness as well as his artistry, as WXIA-TV reported. DJ Unk had had a heart attack in 2009 when he was just 27, he told hip-hop news website XXL in a 2010 interview. The 'Walk it Out' and '2 Step' rapper attributed that to bad eating habits and running himself into the ground with a punishing tour schedule. 'I constantly be on the go, I constantly be on airplanes, in different weather and you know it just took a toll on me,' he told the outlet. 'It was stress.' Unk said the experience had inspired him to modify his habits. On Friday Long-Platt broke the devastating news, posting on Facebook that she had 'just lost my husband and my kids just lost their father.' His recording label, Big Oomp Records, paid tribute with an Instagram post encouraging people to shower virtual flowers on a post from website Atlanta Culture, which called DJ Unk an artist whose work 'brought energy that defined an era.' 'Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of DJ Unk,' Big Oomp said. 'Put your flowers in the comments as we honor his impact on Atlanta and beyond.' Unk was known for his 'Beat'n Down Yo Block' debut album, which hit No. 21 on the 2006 Billboard R&B and Hip-Hop chart. 'Walk It Out' took the nation by dance storm, and '2 Step' went gold. That debut album 'didn't just give us hits, they gave us culture,' Atlanta Culture said in its post honoring the fallen rapper. 'From club floors to block parties, his music made everyone move.'
